9 

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Celebration

On the same evening (August 4, 1996) they returned to Lhasa, arriving there at about 8 p.m. Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok, who had been General Secretary to the Second Jamgon Kongtrul (Palden Khyentse Oser) had arrived from Tsandra Rinchen Drak, Palpung. Tenzin Dorjee related everything about the prophecy and the search to Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok.

  
A photo taken in Tsandra Rinchen Drak, Palpung 1991.
H.E. the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul observing Changdzo Yonten
Phuntsok treating a patient

In 1955, Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok, had received the letter of prediction of the rebirth of the Second Jamgon Kongtrul from His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje, and had conducted the search and found the Third incarnation in Lhasa. After the Third Jamgon Kongtrul passed away in 1992, when Tenzin Dorjee was feeling very sad and bereft, Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok had visited him at Pullahari, and had recounted his experience when meeting the Third Jamgon Kongtrul for the first time. He told Tenzin Dorjee that it would be the same for him in the future. He said that the Karmapa would, of course, grant the prediction of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul's reincarnation, and that Tenzin Dorjee, who had been so close to him, would find the reincarnation based on that. Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok said that Tenzin Dorjee would have a very special feeling when meeting the reincarnation for the first time, and he would "know."

That evening in 1996, in Lhasa, Tenzin Dorjee told Changdzo Yonten Phuntsok that he could not really appreciate what he had shared with him earlier, in 1992, but now, after his first encounter with the baby he had met that afternoon, he understood.

Feeling very happy that they had probably found the reincarnation, everyone was in a jubilant mood. They celebrated together over a very good dinner.